interest

noun

in·ter·est | \ ˈin-t(ə-)rəst

; ˈin-tə-ˌrest, -ˌtrest; ˈin-tərst\

Definition of interest

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to something or someone : concern

b : something or someone that arouses such attention

c : a quality in a thing or person arousing interest

2 : advantage, benefit also : self-interest

3a : a charge for borrowed money generally a percentage of the amount borrowed

b : the profit in goods or money that is made on invested capital

c : an excess above what is due or expected returned the insults with interest

4a(1) : right, title, or legal share in something

(2) : participation in advantage and responsibility

b : business, company

5 : special interest

interest

verb

interested; interesting; interests

Definition of interest (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to engage the attention or arouse the interest of

2 : to induce or persuade to participate or engage

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about interest

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Examples of interest in a Sentence

Noun

She told us about her lifelong interest in music. The kids listened to the speaker for a little while, but then lost interest. The speaker wasn't able to hold their interest. She took an active interest in the political debate. He expressed an interest in learning more about photography. The stories about his personal life add interest to the book. I thought this article might be of interest to you. We visited many places of interest on our vacation. The price of the ticket was a matter of interest to everyone. Music is one of her many interests.

Verb

Military history doesn't really interest me. It might interest you to know that the woman in this photograph is your great-grandmother. It interested me to learn that she had once lived in California. The salesman tried to interest me in a more expensive computer.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

There's been a lot of interest in Susan's case lately. — Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, "Susan Cox Powell's Sister Reveals What She Believes Really Happened to Her," 4 May 2019 These statistics are evidence of a rigged system, of a body politic that puts the interests of insurance companies, corporations, and pharmaceutical companies before the citizens who make this country worth protecting. — Nina Turner, Vogue, "Why Universal Health Care, Higher Wages, and Free Public Education Are Crucial Issues for Black Women," 3 May 2019 Georgia, known for her soft, high-pitched voice, joined the Mary Tyler Moore cast in its third season as Georgette Franklin, the love interest of Ted Baxter's character. — Blair Donovan, Country Living, "'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' Star Georgia Engel Has Passed Away at the Age of 70," 16 Apr. 2019 While Diego's main love interest was Detective Patch and Vanya's was Leonard, in the comics, the two of them actually have a romantic backstory. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "13 Differences Between "The Umbrella Academy" Comics and TV Show," 8 Mar. 2019 The center of this galaxy, the first and second arrondissements, has a dense molecular gravity in terms of historical interest: the Louvre, the Tuileries, the Place Vendôme, the Ritz. — Jay Mcinerney, Vogue, "Why, Oh Why Do I Love Paris? Jay McInerney Counted the Ways in a 1986 Story for Vogue, Republished Here in Solidarity With the French Capital, Where Notre-Dame Burned," 16 Apr. 2019 Much of the American interest in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal bridging economies in the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions, dried up after the U.S. backed out in 2016. — Mike Bird, WSJ, "Trans-Pacific Trade Party Is Raging on Without the U.S.," 13 Apr. 2019 Aqua octagonal tiles create a soothing tone in the entryway, pistachio velvet sofas add warmth to the living room and a merlot backsplash in the kitchen acts as a pop of interest. — Vanessa Lawrence, ELLE Decor, "Reath Design Crafts a Bright, Elegant Home for a Young Family," 22 Mar. 2019 Statistics from Stuyvesant High School, which touts four Nobel Prize laureates among its alumni, were of particular interest to those critical of the new admissions figures. — Lucy Diavolo, Teen Vogue, "Critics React to the Lack of Black and Latinx Diversity at New York City's Specialized Schools," 19 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Shortstop Addison Russell represents the Cubs’ most expendable position player who’s young and accomplished enough to interest the Orioles as the centerpiece. — David Haugh, chicagotribune.com, "Manny Machado deal would be costly for Cubs — but worth the price for a superstar," 12 May 2018 After spending half a paycheck on color-maintenance products, I wasn't interested in keeping up with a multi-step hair care routine. — Glamour, "7 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Going From Blond to Brunette," 30 Mar. 2019 Why would anyone be interested in this information? — Jeanna Kadlec, Allure, "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Birth Chart, Explained," 26 Mar. 2019 In addition to acting, Bella is also interested in music. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Bella Thorne's Large Net Worth is Thanks to Her Numerous Acting Roles," 22 Mar. 2019 When talking with Variety in April 2018, the Killing Eve star said she isn't interested in coming back to reprise her role. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "The True Story Behind Why Sandra Oh Left 'Grey's Anatomy'," 2 Jan. 2019 The editor of The Mercury News and The East Bay Times, Neil Chase, has for months been holding discussions with people and groups in the community who might be interested in purchasing the newspapers. — Sydney Ember, New York Times, "Colorado Group Pushes to Buy Embattled Denver Post From New York Hedge Fund," 12 Apr. 2018 Machado isn’t the only Oriole who will interest the Phillies before this month’s trade deadline. — Matt Breen, Philly.com, "What a Phillies trade for Cole Hamels might mean for their rotation | Extra Innings," 5 July 2018 That's because there aren't any Republicans around, or at least Republicans interested enough to show up to vote. — Rich Exner, cleveland.com, "No Republicans voted in 62 Cuyahoga County precincts in 2018 primary," 10 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'interest.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

10 May 2019

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Time Traveler for interest

The first known use of interest was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for interest

interest

noun

Financial Definition of interest

What It Is

Interest is the cost of borrowing money for a certain period of time.

How It Works

Let's assume you need $500,000 to buy a house. The "price" of borrowing that money is interest, and it is expressed as a percentage of the amount of money you obtain. The borrower pays the interest to the lender. The rate of interest reflects the time value of money, the borrower's credit risk, inflation rates and a variety of other market conditions.

Why It Matters

Interest rates are some of the most powerful and influential components of an economy. As a result, The definition of interest on InvestingAnswers most countries take a keen interest, if not an active role, in monitoring interest rates. They also affect individual, day-to-day consumer decisions, such as determining whether it's a good time to buy a house, borrow money for a college degree, or put money in a specific type of bank account.

Source: Investing Answers

interest

noun

English Language Learners Definition of interest

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a feeling of wanting to learn more about something or to be involved in something

: a quality that attracts your attention and makes you want to learn more about something or to be involved in something

: something (such as a hobby) that a person enjoys learning about or doing

interest

verb

English Language Learners Definition of interest (Entry 2 of 2)

: to cause (someone) to want to learn more about something or to become involved in something

: to persuade (someone) to have, take, or participate in (something)

See the full definition for interest in the English Language Learners Dictionary

interest

noun

in·ter·est | \ ˈin-trəst

, ˈin-tə-rəst\

Kids Definition of interest

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a feeling of concern or curiosity about or desire to be involved with something an interest in music We lost interest in the game.

2 : a quality that makes something more appealing or interesting Personal stories add interest to the book.

3 : something that a person enjoys learning about or doing Sports is one of his many interests.

4 : something that provides help or benefit to a person or group It's in your interest to study.

5 : the money paid by a borrower for the use of borrowed money

6 : the profit made on money that is invested

7 : a right, title, or legal share in something They bought out his interest in the company.

8 interests plural : a group financially interested in an industry or business mining interests

interest

verb

interested; interesting

Kids Definition of interest (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to persuade to become involved in Can I interest you in joining us?

2 : to arouse and hold the concern, curiosity, or attention of This movie doesn't interest me.

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interest

noun

in·ter·est | \ ˈin-trəst; ˈin-tə-rəst, -ˌrest

Legal Definition of interest

1 : a right, title, claim, or share in property

— Article Nine security interest

: security interest in this entry

— beneficial interest

: the right to the use and benefit of property a beneficial interest in the trust

— contingent interest

: a future interest whose vesting is dependent upon the occurrence or nonoccurrence of a future event — compare vested interest in this entry

— controlling interest

: sufficient stock ownership in a corporation to exert control over policy

— equitable interest

: an interest (as a beneficial interest) that is held by virtue of equitable title or that may be claimed on the ground of equitable relief claimed an equitable interest in the debtor's assets

— executory interest

: a future interest other than a remainder or reversion that may take effect upon the divesting of a prior interest or one created simultaneously

Note: Unlike a remainder, an executory interest does not require the expiration of a prior interest. It was designed to guard against the destructibility of contingent remainders set forth in the rule in Shelley's case.

— expectation interest

: the interest of a party to a breached contract in receiving the benefit of the bargain by being put in a position as good as that which would have resulted had the contract been performed

— called also expectancy interest

— compare reliance interest in this entry

— future interest

: an interest in property limited or created so that its owner will come into the use, possession, or enjoyment of it at some future time — see also contingent interest and executory interest in this entry — compare remainder, reversion

— insurable interest

: an interest or stake in property or in a person that arises from the potential for especially financial loss upon the destruction of the property or the death of the person and that is a requirement for enforcing an insurance contract

Note: The purpose of requiring an insurable interest is to prevent the use of insurance as a form of gambling or as a method of profiting from destruction.

— legal interest

: an interest that is recognized in law (as by legal title) — compare equitable interest in this entry, legal title at title

— life interest

: an interest lasting for the duration of a person's life that forecloses the ability to affect the property beyond that term — compare life estate at estate sense 1

— possessory interest

: an interest (as a right) involving or arising out of the possession of property

Note: A possessory interest is based on control rather than use. Thus a lessee who occupies and controls the use of property has a possessory interest, while a party who has an easement does not.

— purchase money security interest

1 : the security interest held by the seller of collateral to secure payment of all or part of the price

2 : the security interest of a person that gives value to a debtor so that the debtor may acquire rights in or the use of collateral

— reliance interest

: the interest of a party to a breached contract in being compensated for detriments suffered (as expenses incurred) in reliance on the agreement — compare expectation interest in this entry

— reversionary interest

: an interest in property (as a possibility of reverter or a power of termination) remaining in the transferor of the property or in his or her successor in interest

— security interest

1 : an interest in property that exists by contract as security for payment or performance of an obligation the security interest of a mortgagee in the mortgaged property also : lien

Note: While a lien may be created by statutory or judicial means without any agreement providing for security (as in the case of a tax lien or judgment lien), a security interest and lien may inhere in the same claim, as when a mortgage comprises both a lien on and security interest in the mortgaged property.

2 : an interest in personal property or fixtures created by a security agreement that secures payment or performance of an obligation the creditor had a security interest in the inventory and accounts receivable of the business

— called also Article Nine security interest

— see also attach sense 3, collateral sense 2, perfect entry 2 sense b, purchase money security interest in this entry

Note: Security interests in personal property are governed by Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. The security interest set out in Article 9 largely replaces the traditional devices for security, such as the pledge and chattel mortgage. A security interest in property that has attached enables a creditor to obtain satisfaction of a debt out of the property without the need to obtain a judgment in court and levy on the property. Further, it provides the creditor with priority over competing claims against the property.

— terminable interest

: an interest (as in a life estate) that will terminate upon the occurrence of an event or the passing of time

— vested interest

: a present and certain right to the present or future enjoyment of property — compare contingent interest in this entry

— working interest

: the interest of a party that holds the right to oil, gas, or minerals on a property and that bears production costs — see also overriding royalty

2 : a specific concern or level of involvement (as financial involvement) especially that warrants recognition or causes bias had a right to intervene because of an interest in the litigation recused himself due to an interest in the matter — see also conflict of interest

3 : something that causes or warrants particular attention: as

a : a principle, purpose, or object of concern

— compelling state interest

: a governmental interest (as in educating children or protecting the public) which is so important that it outweighs individual rights

— public interest

1a : the general welfare and rights of the public that are to be recognized, protected, and advanced the attorney general has standing as a representative of the public interest

b : a specific public benefit or stake in something the public interest in controlling crime

2 : the concern or attention of the public a matter of widespread public interest

b : a right especially that arises from a constitution (as the U.S. Constitution) especially : such a right considered as an issue or claim created in or involving a particular situation or thing no person will be deprived of his interests in the absence of a proceeding in which he may present his case — Marshall v. Jerrico, Inc., 446 U.S. 238 (1980)

— liberty interest

: an interest in freedom from governmental deprivation of liberty especially without due process the liberty interest implicated by the needless discouragement of the exercise of the right to counsel — State v. Albert, 899 P.2d 103 (1995) (dissent)

— privacy interest

: an interest in freedom from governmental intrusion into matters in which one has a reasonable expectation of privacy we have no privacy interest protected by the federal Constitution in limiting public or government access to knowledge of our financial transactions— L. H. Tribe

— property interest

: an interest in freedom from governmental deprivation of property and sources of financial gain (as employment or a government benefit) without due process broadly : something (as a job or benefit) to which one has a legitimate claim of entitlement and that cannot be taken away without due process as distinguished from the unprotected object of a need, desire, or expectation

4 : the well-being of a person —often used in pl. does not serve the child's best interests

5 : a charge for the use of another's money that is usually a percentage of the money being used an account yielding 7% interest paid back the loan with interest

— compound interest

: interest computed on the sum of the original principal and accrued interest

— legal interest

: a lawful interest rate and especially the highest rate allowed proposals to increase the legal interest on department store credit cards to 15% — American Banker also : interest computed at such a rate awarded the defendant legal interest — compare usury

— qualified residence interest

: interest that is deductible from adjusted gross income under federal tax law when it is paid on debt that is secured by one's residence and that was incurred for the acquisition, construction, improvement, or refinancing of the residence or through a home equity loan

— simple interest

: interest computed on the principal of a loan or account